Due to a medical condition I was not even aware of I passed out while driving. Unconscious I drove into a ditch, came out airborne (according to an eyewitness), proceeded on straight into a tree. My airbag did not deploy resulting in my head being thrown into the steering wheel, resulting in knocking out 5 teeth requiring oral surgery, a gash on the chin requiring stitching and an on going jaw issue. I had no other bodily injuries. Had the airbag deployed I may have been injury free. *dt
Dodge RAM 1500 steering noise problems
22 of the 12,420 owner complaints about the Dodge RAM 1500 describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 22
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical mileage
- 72,917
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20111
- 20102
- 20091
- 20081
- 20071
- 20043
- 20032
- 20011
- 19993
- 19981
- 19972
- 19962
- 19942
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 5Ball joint 5Grinding brakes 4Knocking 2Tire blowout 1Pulling 1Power steering loss 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
2010 dodge ram 1500 with 61,000 miles with the steering column bearing failing- through research other 2010's are having the same issue. The steering wheel is popping, grabbing and catching. Called manufacturer they said out of warranty, not their responsibility- starting to feel dangerous to drive
Feels like something is loose in the steering wheel area. Lots of play in the steering and a clunk when wheel is turned. I took it to the dealer to see what the issue was and if it was part of the recall. They said the stering gear and inner tie rods are bad and the front hubs are making noise and need to be replaced. This truck only has a little over 70,000 miles on it and I have never taken it off road or drove it hard. It is used for driving to and from work. Just for the cost of those items they quoted me $2312.99. I have owned three different trucks and have never had a problem like this and with such a new vehicle. Dealer stated it was not part of the recall. This truck feels unsafe to drive with the steering being so loose.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ram 1500. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. In addition, while driving the steering wheel emitted a humming noise and the rear suspension emitted a knocking noise. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 dodge ram 1500. While attempting to turn the steering wheel, an abnormal noise was heard. An independent mechanic stated that the front end axle was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Vehicle has had multiple suspension component failures (3 occurrences) resulting in uneven tire wear and catastrophic tire failure at highway speeds. Manufacturer has not resolved the problem despite multiple returns to the dealership. The vehicle has approximately 58,698 miles and requires both the outer tie rod ends to be replaced for the third time. (dealership assessment as of 08/15/2015, dealer #23432.) the condition results in unsafe play in the steering, premature tire failure and an audible clunk when turning the vehicle. The vehicle is primarily used on the highway and has never been taken off-road. The vehicle use is best described as extremely light duty.
I do not have a particular incident to report but I have noticed a popping noise whenever I turn my wheel slightly at a slow speed and when I try to make tight turns it sounds like something could be grinding or sheering against some steering components. The noises and grinding that I am hearing sounds like something could be breaking or sheering off and although nothing has broken off yet, I do not know if the integrity of whatever parts are being effected are becoming weaker each time I have this issue so I am concerned.
Truck started squeaking then making a popping noise while turning in the driveway. The steering wheel makes a noise while turning. Didn't know there was any recalls on this truck. I took it to the shop and the man said the wheel was about to come off.
My steering wheel makes a clicking sound when you turn the wheel. I was told by the dealership that there is only a recall for this on some models. If my vehicle is doing what the recall is stating and I have the vehicle that the recall is on why is it not replaceable free of charge? This makes no sense to me. The federal safety agency # 09e001000, component : steering linkages. Is out there and I cannot get this replaced under the recall rules. Please explain this to me.
2004 dodge ram 1500 - power steering hoses, clamps and piping: I noticed the power steering pump was making a loud noise and when I checked the fluid level, the pump was dry. Further investigation reveled a large puddle of power steering fluid on my garage floor. Fortunately I wasn't driving the truck when this happened. The leak came from the area where the high and low pressure lines connect to the steering rack. Inquires on the web LED me to this site, and proved that this is definitely not an isolated incident. The loss of power steering on a vehicle this size, especially if towing a large load, could be, and probably would be very dangerous. Dodge should take into account all of the incidents pertaining to this, and issue a recall for the repair before someone is not able to write a complaint like this..
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 RAM 2500 4X4 and 3500 4X4 trucks, 2008-2012 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis, and model year 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners on January 16, 2014 that dealers would inspect vehicles and replace the steering linkage assembly, if necessary. On or about February 27, 2014, Chrysler ceased its recall remedy program due to parts quality concerns, and then re-initiated it on or about April 14, 2014. In July 2015, and under a consent order with the federal safety agency, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N49.
Recall number 13V529000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4 and 3500 4x4, model year 2007-2008 Dodge RAM 3500 4x2 Cab Chassis and model year 2006-2008 Dodge RAM 1500 Mega Cab 4x4 trucks manufactured February 12, 2002, through February 13, 2008. The left tie rod assembly may break.
- Risk
- A failure of the tie rod assembly may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Chrysler notified owners and launched its recall campaign in January 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N62.
Recall number 13V528000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 2500/3500 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; model year 2008-2011 dodge ram 3500 cab chassis 4x2, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through march 28, 2011; and model year 2008 dodge ram 1500 mega cab 4x4, manufactured from february 14, 2008, through august 15, 2008, because the left tie rod ball stud may fracture. This condition tends to occur during low speed parking lot type maneuvers when the customer is making a tight turn. Additionally, model year 2003-2008 dodge ram 2500/3500 vehicles may have received the affected tie rod assembly as a replacement part during normal service.
- Risk
- This condition could result in the potential loss of directional stability in the left hand front wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the tie rod ends for relative orientation and replace the left outer tie rod as required and perform a front end toe alignment as needed. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 3, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V350000 · Recall details
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks, the electrical connector at the bottom of the steering column contains an under-sized terminal for the HVAC blower motor circuit. Localized heating from current flow with the blower speed set on high may cause the terminal contacts to relax and lose electrical contact. This can cause the HVAC blower motor to become inoperative.
- Risk
- This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a wiring harness overlay to correct this condition. Owner notification began april 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 03V078000 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge RAM 1500 steering noise
Which Dodge RAM 1500 years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (3 complaints), 2004 (3 complaints) and 1994 (2 complaints).
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